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The Use of the World Health Organisation Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical/Defined Daily Dose Methodology in Canada

  • Clinical and Non-Clinical Drug Development
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Abstract

Drug utilization studies can provide useful information to improve the appropriate and effective use of pharmaceuticals in populations. Using common drug utilization evaluation systems can facilitate national and international comparisons of drug use, examine trends in use over time, and compare drug use to best practice. Limited work has been done in Canada to compare drug use across jurisdictions (provinces, regions) or with other countries. In order to make such comparisons, a common framework is needed. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification and Defined Daily Dose measure for studying drug utilization in Canada is explained, high-lighting advantages of and considerations with use of this methodology. Examples of Canadian studies using this methodology are provided. In linking the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical/Defined Daily Dose with each marketed drug’s unique identifier (the Canadian Drug Identification Number), researchers in Canada have a tool for measuring drug utilization among regions, countries, and time periods.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Pharmacy and Health Services Administration, Dalhousie University, 5968 College Street, B3H 3J5, Halifax, NS, Canada

    Ingrid S. Sketris PharmD, MPA (HSA) (Professor, Associate Professor)

  2. Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Ingrid S. Sketris PharmD, MPA (HSA) (Professor, Associate Professor)

  3. CHSRF/CIHR Chair in Health Services Research, USA

    Ingrid S. Sketris PharmD, MPA (HSA) (Professor, Associate Professor)

  4. Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada

    Colleen J. Metge PhD, BSc (Pharm) (Associate Professor)

  5. College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Jennifer L. Ross MPH (Research Associate)

  6. College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Mary E. MacCara Pharm D (Associate Professor)

  7. Department of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Mary E. MacCara Pharm D (Associate Professor)

  8. Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics Research Unit, College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Danna G. Comeau MSc, BSc (Pharm) (Research Assistant)

  9. Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada

    George C. Kephart PhD (Associate Professor, Director)

  10. Population Health Research Unit, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada

    George C. Kephart PhD (Associate Professor, Director)

  11. College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Canada

    Jim L. Blackburn Pharm D, MSc (Professor Emeritus)

Authors
  1. Ingrid S. Sketris PharmD, MPA (HSA)
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  2. Colleen J. Metge PhD, BSc (Pharm)
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  3. Jennifer L. Ross MPH
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  4. Mary E. MacCara Pharm D
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  5. Danna G. Comeau MSc, BSc (Pharm)
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  6. George C. Kephart PhD
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  7. Jim L. Blackburn Pharm D, MSc
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ingrid S. Sketris PharmD, MPA (HSA).

Additional information

This project was supported in part by a financial contribution on from the Health Transition Fund (Health Canada) Grant # NA228. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the official policy of federal, provincial, or territorial governments or those of the sponsors.

Dr. Ingrid Sketris holds a Chair in Drug Use Management and Policy Research through the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation/Canadian Institutes for Health Research with cosponsorship from the Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation.

Presented in part at the Drug Information Association conference, Ottawa, September 2000.

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Sketris, I.S., Metge, C.J., Ross, J.L. et al. The Use of the World Health Organisation Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical/Defined Daily Dose Methodology in Canada. Ther Innov Regul Sci 38, 15–27 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1177/009286150403800104

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